Tony flying with MAS

The Star

Wednesday August 10, 2011

Fernandes, Kamarudin join MAS board, Tengku Azmil quits as MD

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines (MAS) and AirAsia Bhd inked a landmark deal yesterday that is set to reshape the aviation industry. By co-operating to leverage on their core strengths and expertise, the two carriers plan to lower competition and cut costs in the areas of aircraft purchases, engineering, ground support services, cargo services, catering and training.

As part of the deal, Tan Sri Tony Fernandes and Datuk Kamarudin Meranun of AirAsia will sit on the MAS board. Their company, Tune Air Sdn Bhd, via a share swap, will end up with 20.5% equity stake in MAS. There is a moratorium period covering the shares, but the details were not released yesterday.

In turn, MAS' parent, Khazanah Nasional Bhd, will take up a 10% stake in AirAsia and MAS director Datuk Azman Yahya will join the AirAsia board. Khazanah will remain the major shareholder in MAS with a 49% stake. The deal is said to be valued close to RM2bil based on Friday's closing, with MAS closing at RM1.60 a share and AirAsia at RM3.95 per share.

“The airlines will remain distant and separate, with separate boards. They will focus on their core competitiveness and it is about capturing growth opportunities (in a concerted way). It is a powerful combination,” said Khazanah managing director Tan Sri Azman Mokhtar. However, he denied that the deal was a bailout of MAS.

Here to read more 

Anak Askar

Very interesting development. Never thought that MAS will collaborate with Air Asia. Years ago that had big spate regarding the flying routes. They hurled accusations to each other. And now..walllaaa  

Let see if Tony could work magic with his new challenge. He must know all the obstacles before he agreed. MAS is under Khazanah meaning owned by government. Things not be the same as there must be many interventions. Let see how he handled the pressure especially the the politic pressure and of course from Rakyat.

Good Luck Tony

Adam Harith

Thanks Fiza for this lovely picture of my son Adam Harith. He is getting bigger and naughty . Also talk a lot now.

Penang Bridge Jams

The Star

Crashes cause massive jams

BUTTERWORTH: Four accidents on the Penang Bridge and one on the North-South Expressway (NSE) before the turnoff to the bridge caused massive traffic jams that resulted in commuters arriving late for appointments.

A motorcyclist, in his 50s, was killed in the first accident at 6.30am yesterday when his machine crashed with a trailer at Km5.1 on the island-bound stretch of the bridge.

A Penang Bridge Sdn Bhd spokesman said about 30 minutes later a four-vehicle pile-up occurred at Km4.8 of the island-bound stretch.

She said another four-vehicle pile-up was reported at about the same time at Km138.2 of the NSE before the turnoff to the bridge.

“This was followed by a seven-car pile-up on the mainland-bound stretch at Km6.2 at 8.06am,” she said.

There were bumper-to-bumper crawls along the roads leading to the bridge on both the island and mainland, as well as some roads leading to the NSE.

In some places, the jam only eased after five hours.

The ferry terminal in Butterworth was also choked as motorists opted to take the ferry to avoid the jams.

The queue backed up to the traffic lights junction near SM Convent Butterworth with the ripple effect spreading to Jalan Chain Ferry, Jalan New Ferry, Jalan Permatang Pauh, Jalan Baru and Jalan Perusahaan on the mainland.

A motorist, who wanted to be known only as Siti, said she was late for work by about two hours.

V. Dinesh, who was travelling in a bus to the Seberang Jaya Hospital from Jalan Chain Ferry, said he was stuck on the bus for nearly two hours resulting him in being late for his medical check-up.

United Barclay Premier League Fixtures

United Silence the Noisy neighbours

It was a great game maybe the best Community Shield ever with five goals thriller. Another great comeback by United after trailing 0-2 after half time. The best thing was the game turned around after Ferguson throw in his young guns in Cleverly, Evans and Jones to replace his most senior players - Ferdinand, Vidic and Carrick.

Cleverly had a very good game. He should able to challenge Wilshere of Arsenal as England best creative midfielder.  So as Rooney, Welbeck, Young, Smalling and of course the Man of the Match Nani. What a game this young Portuguese had. In this young lads will ensure the supremacy of United legacy for years to come.

Glory Glory Man United 

Marhaban Ya Ramadhan

Selamat berpuasa kepada seluruh umat Islam.

Been So Long Now

Lama betui tak update blog ini. Memang rindu sangat nak menulis. Macam macam dalam kepala dok ada tapi tak ada masa untuk meluahkan kat sini.

Hope I could spent some times here. Hmmmm